Handcrafted Wood Pickguard for Taylor T5z Guitar - Free Mount

Note the T5z EB V8XL is a custom piece and is ready to ship. Ebony is only available for custom orders. Please get in touch with me to check availability. Also, if you have the mahogany edition, please do not buy the mahogany pickguard; it won't match. The Indian rosewood is the best choice (besides ebony)
Protect your Taylor T5z guitar and elevate its style with a handcrafted wood pickguard, meticulously crafted from premium solid woods including Indian rosewood, Bolivian rosewood, ebony (special order only), flamed maple, koa, and bloodwood. Designed to fit your instrument perfectly, these custom pickguards not only safeguard your investment but also add a touch of natural elegance to your guitar’s appearance.

Whether you prefer a sleek natural finish or a striking inlay featuring abalone accents, I offer a variety of styles and eight unique designs to suit your personal taste. For the best results, please send a photo of your guitar’s top, so I can recommend the ideal wood and design to complement your instrument’s unique character.

Key features include:
- Handcrafted from high-quality, solid woods such as Indian rosewood, Bolivian rosewood, ebony (special order), flamed maple, koa, or bloodwood
- Customizable designs to match your style and guitar aesthetics
- Easy to install with a precise fit for the Taylor T5z model
- Adds a sophisticated, natural look while protecting your guitar’s top

This wood pickguard makes a perfect upgrade for your Taylor T5z, blending craftsmanship with style. Whether you’re performing live or recording in the studio, this pickguard enhances both the appearance and protection of your guitar. Explore the options and let me help you create a truly personalized accessory to elevate your musical experience!

NEW PICKGUARD FREE MOUNTING SYSTEM - PLEASE READ ALL INFO
Discover the innovative Free Mount system for your custom guitar pickguard. Designed to revolutionize the way pickguards are attached, the Free Mount system ensures that up to 90% of the pickguard remains elevated a hair off the guitar’s surface. This ingenious design offers so many benefits, including protection against top cracks caused by binding something solid to the wood top, which needs to expand and contract. Installation is a breeze with the Free Mount system. Gone are the days of permanent commitment required by 3M tape, where a single misstep could mean starting over. With Free Mount, not only is the installation process straightforward, but the pickguard is also fully removable and reusable. This flexibility is a game-changer for guitarists who value precision and versatility. There is also the enhancement of the guitar’s resonance by allowing the top to vibrate more freely compared to traditional attachment methods like full sheet 3M/double-stick tape.
Optionally, I am now offering a hybrid version. This uses the same backing, but instead of the Free Mount tape, you can get ¼" strips of 3M tape. If you have a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, choose this option as the acrylic Free Mount tape will affect the finish.
The Free Mount system employs a slender plastic layer coupled with an innovative nonadhesive tape that leaves no residue, ensuring a clean removal. This tape is specially designed to peel off without any fuss, preserving the integrity of your guitar’s finish. It is not recommended for oil-based and nitrocellulose finishes. It’s important that you check to see what kind of finish is on your guitar before you decide between the FM and 3M options.

To assist you further, I have created comprehensive installation and removal tutorials. These videos will guide you through the process, demonstrating the ease of installation and how to remove the pickguard without causing any damage to your guitar.
Guitar Free Mount Pickguard Install Video- https://youtu.be/1nS-JGHnKbo
Guitar Free Mount Pickguard Removal Video-https://youtu.be/WX9hEWDZWyU

Optionally, I am now offering a hybrid version. This uses the same backing, but instead of the Free Mount tape, you can get ¼" strips of 3M tape. This is recommended for any guitar that has a nitrocellulose or oil-based finish, as the Free Mount tape does not work well with that finish. The Hybrid Free Mount is installed the same way as the standard Free Mount, but you must ensure placement is correct before the 3M tape adheres to the top, as it is hard to remove. The advantage is that the pickguard sits closer to the top, but it does not completely cover the top as with a standard full sheet of 3M that covers the entire back of the pickguard, so there’s no chance the top can crack over time due to the pickguard. And you can use as few as 4 small pieces to adhere the pickguard to the top. Once at each corner, and you can add a 5th in the center.
If you have any questions about the item or installation, please contact me using Etsy messaging or directly at sales@mintstrings.com

Important Pickguard Installation with 3M Tape
I recommend viewing a few installation videos, and in my opinion, Leo Posch’s video stands out as the best. In this tutorial, Leo demonstrates the proper steps to clean, align, and position a pickguard accurately. Please watch this video before proceeding with the installation, as broken pickguards cannot be returned, so it’s crucial to get it right the first time.
Guitar 3M Pickguard Install Video- https://youtu.be/TNjE7qgcfpw

Pickguard Care
Do not use any chemicals to clean your pickguard; use a microfiber cloth, dry or slightly damp, to wipe it clean. Please make sure to keep your guitar stored in a case with proper humidity and climate control to protect the wood. If you do not, the pickguard may warp (too warm or too dry). If you don't have a case, placing your guitar on a stand, using a guitar humidifier, a hygrometer, and sealing it with a large plastic bag will help keep the correct environment not only for the pickguard but the guitar as well. Although you may not see any changes in your guitar, these conditions can affect the tone. It's important to keep your guitar humidified.

Pickguard Return Policy
1) Pickguard Return Policy with Free Mount- If returning a pickguard with Free Mount, since once installed, it cannot be switched back to the 3M tape, the $5 upgrade is nonrefundable.
2) Pickguard Return Policy with 3M- The backing must be intact, and never removed from the pickguard. Please do not try to remove and then reinstall the 3M backing after removal. After years of making these, I know when the backing has been removed. Removing the backing will change the status of the pickguard from new to used, and you will only receive 50% of the purchase price, but only if the pickguard is undamaged and still usable. If it is returned with damage, whether the damage happened during an incorrect installation or was caused during the return shipping, you will not get a refund. It's extremely important that all returns be packaged well. If you return it in an envelope, even if padded, the USPS machines will break it. I've seen this happen.
3) There is a 20% restock fee for all pickguards that are made to order.
4) Shipping is nonrefundable; the actual shipping will be deducted from the refund to cover shipping on all orders. This includes over $35, which is listed as "Free Shipping" (which is not free). If two or more items were shipped together and you keep at least one item, the shipping charge will not be deducted.
As of May 2026, the average price for a 4-oz package is $6.50